Election Petition Not Maintainable If Proper Affidavit Not Filed: Himachal Pradesh High Court

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that an election petition challenging the results cannot proceed if the petitioner fails to file the required affidavit under Section 81 of the Representation of People Act. The Court emphasized that procedural compliance is mandatory to preserve the integrity of electoral processes and ensure fairness. Non-compliance with statutory affidavit requirements renders the petition non-maintainable, safeguarding the election process against frivolous or incomplete claims.